What to do if your computer's USB ports don't work

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Several ways to identify the problem and solve it.

If your computer refuses to respond to the USB device, try these methods. One will not help - go to the next.

Reboot your computer

As silly as it sounds, after that the USB device can work.

Check the connected device and port

Before dealing with the input, you need to find out if the connected device itself is working properly.

1. Insert it into a different port.
2. If the PC still does not respond or gives an error, then the problem is in the device.
3. Unplug the device and plug it in again, but tighter. Perhaps the exit was simply shaken.
4. Is the device working? Then the problem is really with the port.

Clean up USB ports

Turn off your computer and see if there is any dirt or dust inside the port. This is especially true for desktop PCs where some or even all of the ports are located in the back. Dust can also impede air flow and therefore reduce performance.

Take a can of compressed air and clean all the entrances with it.

If you don't have a can, try using a vacuum cleaner.

Check the list of devices connected to the computer

Through it, you can get information about USB devices, and in some cases fix the problem with ports.

On Windows

1. Enter "device manager" in the search for the operating system and open it.
2. Find the USB Controllers section and expand it.
3. You need an item with the words Extensible Host Controller.

Is there no such item? This may explain why your USB device is not working. Click on the "Update hardware configuration" button on the taskbar: this is an icon with a blue screen and a magnifying glass. Probably, after checking, the desired item will appear, and the device will work as it should.

If the host controller is listed, try reinstalling it.

1. Right-click on it and select "Remove device".
2. Do this with each such controller, if there are several.
3. Reboot your computer.

After Windows starts, the controllers will automatically reinstall and the port may work.

On macOS

1. Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac.
2. Open the "System Report" section.
3. In the Hardware category, select USB.

On Apple computers, you can only view information about flash drives and external hard drives. If the port is working, then the device will be displayed in the list. Unfortunately, you don't have as much room as in the case of Windows.

Deactivate temporary USB port disconnection

USB detection can be affected by power management settings, especially if you have a laptop. The USB temporary shutdown function is designed to reduce power consumption and usually works correctly. But as a last resort, it is worth checking it too.

On Windows

1. In the search for your operating system, enter and select Change Power Scheme.
2. In the window that opens, click "Change advanced power settings".
3. Under the USB Settings category you will find one or two items depending on whether you have a desktop computer or a laptop. In both, you need to put "Forbidden".
4. Save settings and restart your PC.

On macOS

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Open the Energy Saving section.
3. In the tabs "Battery" and "Network adapter" uncheck "If possible, put disks to sleep."

Fix the entrance

The ports are soldered to the board inside the computer: usually not to the motherboard, but to a separate one. If you use USB devices frequently, the ports can become loose or even fall off entirely.

This is often due to the shape of the connected devices, in particular cables and old flash drives. They can be quite heavy and outweigh the delicate entrance.

A loose entry may indicate a breakdown. Insert the device into the input and slightly wiggle it. The connector must not wobble. If loose, secure it with a soldering iron.

If the USB port doesn't wobble but still doesn't work, you need to replace it. Doing it yourself is not easy. Most likely, you will also need a soldering iron. For example, as in this video:

If you are not confident in your abilities, seek help from a specialist.